Club Chairman Sharon Brittan and Wanderers’ legend John McGinlay joined champion fund-raiser Esme Robinson in completing one of the final miles of her marathon effort.
Esme, 13, has run at least a mile a day for the past year to raise funds for Bolton Hospice and the Brain Tumour Research Society in memory of her uncle Andrew Robinson.
Sharon and super-striker John – a Bolton Hospice Volunteer – joined Esme and family members to lap the pitch at the Toughsheet Community Stadium before the teenager completed her remarkable effort with the final mile of her journey and 365th consecutive day of running at Bolton Hospice on Sunday.
“It was really good to run around the pitch and see it up close. It’s such a lovely stadium,” said Esme, who lives in Westhoughton and is one of several Wanderers’ fans in her family.
“I’ve run in Scotland, on Christmas Day, on treadmills, and even on holiday in Greece on the beach! I can’t pick a favourite run though, I’ve enjoyed all of them,” she added after finally completing her epic journey.
“Before crossing the finish line I was just praying I wouldn’t get emotional. It’s exciting, but it’s also a bit sad as it’s the last little push of the challenge and I know I’ll miss it. I think I will carry on running, just maybe not every day.”
Wanderers were delighted to show their backing for Esme, whose dad Matthew was among the runners along with the Whites’ First-Team Performance Chef James Berry, who was keen to lend his support in the light of a brain tumour diagnosis and course of treatment undergone in recent years by his daughter Lola.
“Congratulations to Esme on completing such a remarkable challenge,” said Sharon after the Whites’ chairman welcomed Esme and her family and joined the first leg of the run.
“Esme is obviously a special young woman and I know her achievement, in memory of her uncle, will mean so much to her families and the charities involved.
“Bolton Hospice and the invaluable service it provides are such a vital part of our community. As the town’s football club, it is so important to us – and to me – to offer our support wherever we can and we were delighted and proud to help Esme just a few more steps along her incredible journey.”
Esme ran a total of 450 miles in her ‘Mile-A-Day Challenge’, so far raising over £2,500 for Bolton Hospice and the Brain Tumour Research Society. Anyone wishing to support her efforts can still do by donating here https://www.justgiving.com/page/esme-robinson-1721414220945